The significant increase to minimum wage recently announced by the provincial government garnered a muted, and in some cases, positive response from Ontario’s agricultural sector. This is a contrast to […] Read more
Potatoes

Farmers eye potential impacts from minimum wage hike
Despite agricultural exemptions, pay rates are typically affected

End date sought for P.E.I. potato export ban
A ban from Washington would be harder to reverse, Liberals say
The federal Conservatives want to see a clearly defined end zone for the Canadian government’s suspension of Prince Edward Island potato exports to the U.S. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency […] Read more

P.E.I. potato exports to U.S. halted
Canada imposes new rules after potato wart findings
Canada has moved to halt exports of Prince Edward Island potatoes to the United States after findings of potato wart in the province last month — on what federal officials […] Read more

U.S. to ban use of chlorpyrifos on food crops
Cancellation already scheduled for most outdoor use in Canada
UPDATED, Aug. 25 –– Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday said it will ban the use on food crops of chlorpyrifos insecticide, which has been […] Read more

Nova Scotia Tories’ ag critic returns as party wins election
PCs oust incumbent Liberals, form majority
The agriculture critic for Nova Scotia’s opposition Progressive Conservatives is set to return to the legislature, this time as part of a majority government, following Tuesday’s provincial election. As of […] Read more

U.S. confirms will boost food stamps by record amount
Washington | Reuters –– The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) on Monday will announce revised nutrition standards dramatically boosting average food stamp benefits, the agency confirmed Sunday. The New York Times […] Read more

Root rot, white mould and crop pest insects
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 13
There are mixed reports on the health of dry beans in Ontario this season. While many fields look good, rains following the initially dry conditions at planting have increased the […] Read more

Experiential learning program plants SEEDS of on-farm knowledge
Organizers hope to launch a science-based program in September Three sets of eyes widen as a brown egg drops from a hen and rolls to a stop next to two […] Read more

Nutrien to further bump up potash output
'Continued tightening' in market cited as potash producer Belarus sanctioned
Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian fertilizer producer Nutrien said Monday it would boost its 2021 potash output by 500,000 tonnes, after the European Union and others imposed new trade sanctions […] Read more

Federal reprieve for imidacloprid cuts its application rates
Proposal for near-total ban rejected in Health Canada's final decision
A member of the neonicotinoid family of insesticides and seed treatments has been pulled back from the brink of an all-out ban in Health Canada’s final re-evaluation ruling. Most agricultural […] Read more